Planners of the Water Quality Assn.’s (WQA) Aquatech USA 2011 say issues surrounding final barrier systems will take center stage at the convention.

“The water treatment industry is in the first stages of what may be a major transformation that will affect how we do everything from manufacturing to sales to servicing,” said Peter Censky, executive director of WQA. “At WQA Aquatech USA 2011, we are going to spend a great amount of time and energy discussing how we can shape and respond to this new opportunity.”

In recent months, industry leaders have opened up a dialog with public officials on the new paradigm for water treatment.

The conference and exhibition will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas, March 8 to 11, 2011.

WQA leadership said it will discuss ways for the industry to encourage officials to understand that the most practical solution to water related issues is to integrate point-of-use and curbside systems into the current regulatory paradigm.

“Our goal is to advance the understanding of policy makers about final barrier[2] treatment of drinking,” Censky said. “We begin with a premise that within 20 years the current paradigm–centrally treating water and doing essentially nothing more–will no longer work. Central treatment will not be able to cope with the demand for higher quality water.”

WQA staff and leadership met recently with top public officials in Congress to provide education on the issues and opportunities being faced. In sessions during early October and throughout the 2010 WQA Mid-Year Leadership conference, WQA staff and senior association members discussed how point-of-use technology should be included in long-term federal planning.

Industry representatives met with senior Congressional staff from committees charged with regulating environment and public works, science and technology, and energy and natural resources. WQA plans to continue that process in San Antonio.

In addition to exploring final barrier issues, WQA Aquatech USA will continue to offer opportunities to those attending. The exhibition/trade show will feature new products, services and suppliers. Industry-leading business services, suppliers and manufacturers will be featured.

The “WQA Primetime” lineup–an overview of the industry’s hot topics—will include keynote speakers. The convention also will include an “Industrial Forum/Networking Event,” and education/training sessions and AquaStages, a series of exhibition floor education/product dem¬onstrations. Educational sessions on the tradeshow floor are open to all registered participants. Significant hands-on product training and user group sessions will also be offered.

Registration and hotel reservations are available. For more information and to register, go to wqa-aquatech.com[3].